Parish Council Minutes – March 2025

Cllr MacDuff due to a prior commitment, accepted.

None.

The minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council  held on 14^th January 2025 were approved for accuracy and adopted (proposed Cllr Lloyd, seconded Cllr Elliott).

The minutes of a BRGC meeting held on 23^rd September 2024 were adopted, these having been approved for accuracy by the Committee (proposed Cllr Lloyd, seconded Cllr Ligo).

Members received reports on the following:

a)       Bratton Recreation Ground Committee – Mr Mike Manson had provided a report, which had been circulated to members.  In addition, Mr Manson made the following points:

a.       That the football pitch was in a reasonable condition and the majority of matches had been able to be played during the season.  There was a drainage issue in one area, which the Committee would explore to develop options, although it was noted that any works were likely to be expensive.

b.       Postponed football matches had an impact on cricket fixtures; the cricket team had organised away matches to accommodate however, the ground would not be available for the playing of any postponed football matches after 3^rd May 2025, when cricket matches would take precedence.

c.       The Westbury Area Board had granted £500 towards the cost of the mower for the Rec Ground; delivery of the mower was expected 12 March and training on its use and maintenance would take place.

d.       The Committee thanked James Gale for his assistance in putting the cricket sight screens back to their upright position.

e.       There was an outstanding insurance claim relating to damage to the cricket nets, which the Clerk was working to resolve.

f.        The planned hedge planting had taken place along the Trowbridge side of the ground.

b)      LHFIG and Highways matters –  The Chair provided a report, including:

a.       Consideration of a HIF relating to Court Lane HGV traffic – it was reported that the issues with the weight of vehicles using the lane was creating issues for the highway and for residents.  It was noted that this was a county wide problem and required detailed exploration. The issue would be taken forward, seeking the new Wiltshire Councillor’s support, post the May elections.

b.       Primary School direction sign on B3098 – information had been circulated to members and it was agreed that the sign should be relocated by WC away from the property near which it was currently situated.

c.       The Chair also confirmed that the planned works to footpaths BRAT24 and BRAT25 would be carried out in accordance with the original s106 agreement for site 321; tarmac and drainage would therefore be installed on BRAT25 as planned.

c)       Website Working Group – the Chair reported that the group had not met recently. The recent email migration had taken place, which had freed up more space on the website and allowed for documents relating to the Neighbourhood Plan to be published.  The enhancement had also provided an opportunity for a shared drive for Council documents and he and the Clerk were exploring this.

d)      Emergency Planning Working Group – the Chair reported that due to focus on the Neighbourhood Plan, which had been time sensitive, this had not progressed although he had received an undertaking from the Jubilee Hall and Bratton Church Institute to be involved in developing an emergency plan.

e)      Village Green Committee – The draft minutes of a meeting held on 3^rd March 2025 had been circulated to members.  Cllr Elliott, Chair of the Committee, reported the following:

a.       The Committee had welcomed a new member, Mr Parkinson, and Mr Crosby had offered to assist in a volunteer capacity.

b.       The weekly inspections continued to be carried out with Cllr Cole currently taking responsibility.

c.       Images of the proposed youth shelter were tabled, with the proposed location being confirmed. This would necessitate a small adjustment to the siting of ‘Lou’s bench’.  A consultation would be carried on out on the proposed location for the shelter, which Cllr Elliott would arrange.

d.       The cost of the shelter were confirmed at £7,800 (to be funded via s106 monies relating to site 321) with installation and delivery costs estimated at £5,000 (grant applications had been made to access funding for this element of the project). A concrete base would be required and the Committee planned to deal with this in house.

f)        Tidy Bratton Group – Mrs A Tarling had provided a report, which had been circulated to members, was read out by the Chair and duly noted.

g)       Bike tracks in the woods – Cllr Jolly reported on the recent increase in bike activity on MOD land at the bottom of Stradbrook/Imber Road. She reported on the damage caused to trees in the area, the presence of rubbish and general health and safety concerns regarding the stability of the bike track. The matter had been reported to the MOD, who had visited the site and confirmed that it would need to be shut down and the trees and ground reinstated. It was expected that fencing would be installed.  Cllr Jolly was thanked for her efforts in resolving this.

h)      VE Day Official Celebrations 8^th May 2025 – The Chair reported on his initiative for the PC to support VE Day, tabling a schedule of events and members discussed the potential support for the event, including the purchase of event associated materials.  It was noted that one event had already been planned, the proceeds of which would be shared with the Royal British Legion.  Following debate, members expressed their support for the event but confirmed they did not wish to offer any financial support.

i)        Orchard Blossom Day and proposed works to the Orchard steps in the amount of £300 – Information had been circulated to members and support was expressed for the work to the steps and the planned events for children at the Blossom Day.  It was therefore resolved to approve the requested expenditure (£200 to be allocated from the budget for general village works and £100 to be allocated under community grants using LGA 1972 s 145) (proposed Cllr Cole, seconded Cllr Whittaker).

j)        CPRE Best Kept Village Competition 2025 – Members considered the feedback from the 2024 report in relation to the village allotments. Following discussion it was agreed that Cllrs Franklin and Ligo (lead members for allotments) would carry out site visits and report back to Council on any works required.  Cllr Cole reported that he had met with Wessex Water who had carried out an inspection at Gales Ground allotments; a report would follow and would need to be considered as to remedial works required.

k)       Christmas Event 2024 – Cllr Lloyd had circulated a report, which had been circulated to members and was noted.  There were no decisions needed at this stage.

Members received and noted the brought forward list as previously agreed for circulation (copy previously circulated) and received an update on the below listed project discussed at previous meetings:

a)       Castle Road bus shelter replacement – It was reported that the developer of Site 321 had ordered a like for like replacement shelter and an installation date would be confirmed shortly.

PL/2025/01527 – 3A Upper Garston Lane, Bratton, Westbury, BA13 4SN – Change of use of annexe previously used for a dependant relative to a holiday let – No Objection (proposed Cllr Cole, seconded Cllr Elliott).

To receive and consider planning applications received after the issue of the agenda (where the response time falls outside of the meeting schedule and an extension cannot be obtained) – None.

Members received a report from Mr Drummond as listed below:

·      The SG had not needed to meet formally since December 2024.

·      Wiltshire Council had submitted some queries following the end of the Reg 16 consultation and a response to these had been prepared together with a response to the initial comments and queries from the Regulation 17 Independent Examiner.

·      The Independent Examiner had begun his work and carried out an unaccompanied visit to the parish.

·      It was not yet clear whether the Neighbourhood Plan would make the hoped for referendum date of 1^st May 2025; this would depend on the progression of the examination.

Members also noted information received relating to the current Examination of the Bratton Neighbourhood Development Plan and approved the responses for submission to the Independent Examiner (previously circulated) (proposed Cllr Cole, seconded Cllr Ligo).

Members received and noted the below listed reports (proposed Cllr Lloyd, seconded Cllr Cole):

a)    Schedule of payments and receipts to 28^th February 2025.

b)    Bank reconciliation statements as at 28^th February 2025

c)     Consolidated Financial Position Statement as at February 2025

d)    Budget Report as at 28^th February 2025.

e)    Members also approved the payments due for March 2025, as appended to the minutes (proposed Cllr Lloyd, seconded Cllr Cole).

Members considered for approval the insurance documents and associated costs for the financial year 2025-26 (information previously circulated). The Clerk confirmed that the Council was in the midst of a three year long term agreement with the insurance provider.  It was resolved that the associated insurance cost of £1965.56 (no change from current year) was authorised for payment (proposed Cllr Franklin, seconded Cllr Lloyd).

It was noted that there had been some issues with processing insurance claims during recent years and the Clerk would raise this with Community First who brokered the insurance.  The Clerk was also asked to seek their advice on the risk management required for members and volunteers using Council owned power tools on Council owned land.

Members considered for adoption the new model Financial Regulations as issued by the National Association of Local Councils in November 2024 (copy previously circulated).  It was resolved to adopt the new FR’s and to ensure that the tender limit of £60,000 was reflected in the adopted Standing Orders, a change to that document also being approved (proposed Cllr Cole, seconded Cllr Ligo).

Members addressed the administrative tasks relating to the preparation and submission of the accounts year ending 31^st March 2025 including:

a)       Review of the Risk Registers – the documents were reviewed, with the Clerk confirming she was working on a streamlined, consolidated document, which would be presented to members for consideration at the ACM.  The current documents were adopted (proposed Cllr Elliott, seconded Cllr Lloyd).

b)      Review of the Fixed Asset Register – the FAR was duly adopted, with one amendment to note that the chainsaw referred to could not be located (proposed Cllr Lloyd, seconded Cllr Cole).  The Clerk would investigate what had happened to the chainsaw.

c)       Members carried out a review of the Council Reserves, details of which had been previously circulated.  The Reserves were confirmed as listed (copy appended to the minutes) (proposed Cllr Elliott, seconded Cllr Franklin).

d)      Members considered the appointment of the payroll provider for financial year 2025-26 and resolved to continue with Gooding Accounts (proposed Cllr Elliott, seconded Cllr Franklin).

None at time of issue.

Members agreed the below listed items for inclusion in the next edition of the BPN (to include planning information):

·          Information on the forthcoming election – May 1^st 2025

·          Update on bike track on MOD land

·          Neighbourhood Plan progress

Members received and noted  the calendar of parish council meetings and events (previously circulated).

Tuesday 29^th April 2025 – Annual Parish Meeting – Jubilee Hall

Tuesday 13^th May 2025 – Annual Council Meeting – Jubilee Hall